English Heritage tests video review tech for jousting

LONDON – Medieval is meeting modern as English Heritage tests video review technology for jousting.

English Heritage, a charity which manages monuments and castles, says accuracy is vital in jousting, a sport in which participants on horseback charging at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 kph) win points by using 12-foot (3.7-meter) lances to strike parts of the shield or helmet of their opponent.

Organizers hope that technology will lead to more precision in scoring. English Heritage’s Emily Sewell says that determining a score “currently requires our Knight Marshall to accurately observe the location of each hit every time, which is quite a challenge.”

Wednesday’s trial is taking place at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall.

English Heritage is campaigning to have jousting be recognized as an Olympic sport.